(X-mas cont. from pg 11)
However, the celebration of Christ’s birth continues for many days after Dec. 25. The Salgado family also observes Dia de los Reyes Magos, "Three Kings Day," on the 6th of January. Anely writes,
“This day is when the three wise men came to Baby Jesus and brought Him gifts of all kinds but in Mexican tradition all the little children are expected to put one shoe outside in hopes to receive a small token from the Three Kings too! Every year my siblings and I get excited in the morning to see what they brought us in our shoe! Other families buy a round cake called a rosca and it has a little plastic baby in the inside of it. Whoever gets it has to make a special dinner on the 2nd of February.” Anely explains that after so much celebrating, her mom sometimes opts out of cooking the dinner!
The Salgados are only one of many Notre Dame families who enjoy la Navidad del Nino Jesus. Sofia Salazar, a fourth grader at Notre Dame, also has family in Mexico. Her family decorates their Christmas tree with poinsettia flowers. On New Year’s Eve, the Salazars have a get together with their Grandmother. It may be a little difficult to communicate since Sofia's primary language isn’t Spanish but she still enjoys the time spent with her grandmother.
Leilani Nguyen’s family enjoys the best of both worlds as they celebrate both Vietnamese and Mexican traditions. A favorite holiday of hers is Chinese New Year’s, in which the family goes from the houses of aunts and uncles, telling them what good you wish upon them in the coming year. In return, the children receive gifts or money. Leilani’s dad also cooks traditional Vietnamese foods around these times.
Lelani’s mother's side of the family is from Mexico. Her family celebrates the remembrance of the souls of the dead on the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos. She enjoys celebrating the holidays with what else...tamales!
Moving North, we visit the warmth of a Canadian Christmas with Malec, Eva, and Laura Chambers. The Chambers spent last Christmas with their family in Toronto. Malec said one of his favorite parts of Christmas is spending time with his cousins in a big cabin next to the woods. They play hide and seek, hockey, and have snowball fights. Eva’s favorite part of Christmas is getting presents and trying to keep up with the boys, as she and Laura are outnumbered! (Xmas cont. on pg 15)
14
Anely Salgado (3rd grade)dances at Sacred Heart Parish on Dec. 12.